Combined hassock and chair



Oct. 26, 1954 E. N. GENOVESE 2,692,639

COMBINED HASSOCK AND CHAIR Filed March 30, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l EDGAR N. GENOVESE A TTORNE Y Oct. 26, 1954 E.N.GENOVESE COMBINED HASSOCK AND CHAIR Filed March 30, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. E 064 R N. GE NOVE SE MW am.

AT OR NE) Patented Oct. 26, 1954 UNI S FATE N T F EIJCE COMBINED HASSOCKAND :aEdgar' N r Genovese 'Baltimore;'Md.

" Application March 30', 1951, Serial N01'218g432 Claims. 1 g This invention relates to household "furniture and more particularly to a combination hassock and chair unit.

ciated as it is outlined in detail.

For a better understanding of the "invention and the objects thereof reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein a particular form is indicated by way of example. These drawings in conjunction with the following description show a preferred construction while the claims emphasize the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front perspective View of a combination hassock and chair unit embodying this invention, shown in closed position;

Figure 2 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 1, with the unit opened or unfolded into the chair position;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front sectional elevation of the unit taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail indicating the type of hinge used in this embodiment;

Figure 6 is a modified form of the hassock in perspective and shown in closed position;

Figure 7 is a similar view with the hassock in closed position;

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a sectional View on line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Similar parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

The drawings show a hassock unit ll) of conventional contour and a structure of hollow boxlike framed form exteriorly cushioned. However, in its construction it has a recess II in its middle portion formed into a depression in its upper section encompassed by a seat I2, and side walls I3. A rotatable body member I4 of suitable box-like form is pivoted or hinged on pins I5 passing transversely from the walls I3 and positioned so as to permit this body l4 being rotatably placed angularly to form a back, which the user can rest his back against while sitting on the l-a isarbitrarfly termed it the recess I I closes theuni-t intb ahass'ockon the top surface of'which'the user can sit; put-his feet on, or'otherwiseu'se it inthe conventional hassock mannerNWhen'sdfolded downth'e back I4 is secured by a strap I6 rotatably attached' to the lower section I8 ofthe -hassockby a rivet and is preferably arranged with a snap or" button fas- *tener N that engages-with' part3l which is attached tothe-edge of-seat-a'nd back I4 of the "hassock. The back'-' I4 is'exteriorly contoured to conform with the hassocksurfaces it aligns with.

The "cushions" of the hassock are filled with material of resilient orpartly resilient nature in i the usualmanner, with a leather 'or 'strong fabric covering forming a cushioning surface on its exterior. The device is simple in construction, effective in its use, and can be manipulated in a facile manner. When the back [4 is raised, its lower portion fits in a spacing 20 in the seat adjacent to the rear, so it will be braced and held up rigidly enough against the surface 39 to sustain the body of the user pressing against it. This is clearly shown in Figures 4 and 8. The hassock used as a chair when the back I4 is up, is especially suitable for television viewing.

It will be noted that the elongated slot I9 used in this form enables the back I4 to be adjusted forwardly and backwardly. The back is pulled forward from its horizontal position to the extent of travel allowed by the length of the elongated slot. Then it is rotated backwardly on the pins I5. This brings the back over the spacing 20 so it may be slid therein, and tilts the back to form the contour of a chair with the seat. The purpose of this is to have the rear wall 2| extend up the proximate height of the seat level and present a closed in appearance when closed in for use as a hassock. At the same time it makes the back easier to manipulate in a limited space and particularly when a portion of it is inserted in the spacing 20. When used as a hassock the back rests on the seat I2 and top edge of wall 2|.

In the modified form shown in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the structure is made with its pins I5 inserted through round holes in the back, avoiding the use of the elongated slots previously included. This enables the back to swing up as on a hinge without adjustability to the back in a forward and backward direction, as previously shown. The spacing at 20 is left without a wall in back to enclose the lower portion of the back when open, but does need a false bottom partition 22 to reinforce the rear structure of the hassock as shown. This construction leaves the rear surface of the back free of any restraint.

While but two general forms of the invention are shown herein, it is not intended to limit this application to such specific forms as it is appreciated that other structures could be made, that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A hassock unit comprising a body having its upper section depressed into a substantially U- shaped recess for a user to sit on and form a chair and having its seat surface at the bottom with walls at the sides, and a movable back hinged to said body, said back being arranged to fold into said recess and fill it completely so that a hassock of uniform outer contour will be formed thereby, means for securing the back to said body, bracing means for the back to hold it upright when it is opened up to form the hassock into a chair, said seat surface being angularly arranged with respect to the under surface of the body so as to add to the comfort of the user sitting on said seat, said body and back being of hollow boxlike construction with cushions externally attached thereto.

2. A seat unit comprising a seat, an upright arm rest on each side of said seat projecting above the upper surface of said seat, whereby said seat and said arm rests form a substantially U shaped recess as viewed from the front of said unit, said seat having a downward extension at its end and intermediate the rear ends of said arm rests, a pivotal member positioned between the side arms and adjacent said downward extension, pivot means at each side of said member and connected to each of said arm rests, said member, when in an upright position, abutting said rear extension to brace said member so as to form a back rest and said member when pivoted to a horizontal position resting upon said seat to form a hassock, the tops of said arms and said member, when in said horizontal position, all being of the same contour to form a continuous seating surface.

3. A seat unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the pivot means consist of oppositely disposed pins secured to vertical walls of the arm rests and extending through slots provided in said member.

4. A seat unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the pivot means consists of a pin carried by vertical Walls of the arm rests and extending through said member.

5. A seat unit as set forth in claim 2, including a strap secured to the hassock and detachably securable to said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 131,473 Thelander Mar. 3, 1942 2,357,214 McDole Aug. 29, 1944 2,564,762 Howard Aug. 21, 1951 2,655,203 Wegner Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 240,085 Great Britain Sept. 24, 1925 390,673 Great Britain Apr. 13, 1933 

